Wednesday, July 28, 2010

It's been a long eight weeks, but I was finally given my release early last week. So I set to planning my weekend travels. I decided to visit my father and of course there would be pizza. Saturday I was up early, but didn't leave until after 10 A.M. due to a craigslist appointment (that way I had money for pizza and gas). I took what would normally take about 2 hours and extended it to over 6.

The first stop of the day was an old church, there are no markers or signs about it. I think that makes me wonder even more about it's history. The first 100 miles were spent mostly on gravel and I found about 12 low water bridges. I didn't get my feet wet until the last one just after leaving Frankenstein. Yes I went to Frankenstein, MO and no I didn't take a photo. There was not a single sign to be found in the whole place. After a good visit and good pizza I had a twenty minute ride in the rain heading toward the lightning.

Sunday morning I had breakfast with my father at The Brick in Moberly, my favorite breakfast joint. My plans for the day were to eat at Taco Johns in Pittsfield, IL and sleep in my own bed a the end of the day.

As I approached my first gas stop of the day I decided to add two more destinations. The first was the Haunted tunnel (so I'm told), it passes under the BNSF railroad less than a mile from the Des Moines River. The second was Sorrento's Pizza in Fort Madison, IA. The tunnel passed through, but no ghost were seen, just some graffiti. When I arrived in Fort Madison I found Sorrento's Pizza closed. It had been over 10 years since I last had pizza there, and for some reason I knew they would be closed, but it didn't stop me from trying. Finding no pizza in the Fort I crossed the river into Illinois and headed south towards Pittsfield and some Taco Johns. My day ended around 9:30 P.M. when I arrived home. My behind knew I had put a few miles on the clock, but I was still surprised by just how many.

P.S. To those of you that recently attended the International Moto Blogger's Convention in Bend, I have been following along with all of your blog's and have lived vicariously through your eye's, I thank you for that. I would have loved to have been there, but in the end it just wasn't meant to be this time around, next time... I won't even start on those terrible roads in Oregon.

Friday, July 2, 2010

This bike is the one that really gets me down deep. Although it was produced from 1985-1997, It was only imported to the U.S. for one year, 1986 (for more info see WIKI). Yamaha states that 19,000 SRX6's were sold in the U.S. That means there has to be one out there with my name on it, right?

This particular bike listed on Cycle Trader is located in Chicago, just a short plane, train or car ride from home. It has only 1900 miles on the clock, that's equivalent to one oil change... The asking price of $2800 is probably not far from the original sticker price. They claim the bike has not been modified in any way and still has the owners manual and original two keys. If I had $2800 stashed away I would be making the trip to Chicago this weekend.

If only I was out riding what I have instead of sitting in front of a computer lusting after forbidden fruit! Arrrrrgh! Only 3...I don't know, just to many weeks until two wheels.

See you on the road.
GAW

No, seriously this one really has me ready to pick the apple and accept the consequences. How bad can it be? It's all because my first bike was a Yamaha.